Cross over assembly

ABSTRACT

A well tool system particularly adapted for interconnection of the flow passages of conduits in a well bore, including fluid cross-over assembly for communicating parallel or concentric flow passages. One form of the system for connecting parallel tubing strings includes an H-member providing spaced vertical parallel conduit sections interconnected by a cross-over conduit. Several forms of the H-member include locking recesses in one or both of the spaced conduit sections and a sliding sleeve valve in either or both of such sections for selectively communicating and isolating the conduit sections from each other. Another form of the cross-over device includes at least three tubing sections in parallel spaced relation interconnected by cross-over conduits, locking recesses for servicing well tools in the conduit sections, and a sliding sleeve valve for selectively isolating and communicating the sections through the cross-over conduits. An additional form of the device includes a cross-over member connectible at one end with spaced parallel tubing strings and at the opposite end with a pair of inner and outer tubing strings and including a cross-over flow passage and sliding sleeve valve for selectively isolating and communicating the flow passages through the body whereby the parallel tubing strings above the body and the flow passages below the body are intercommunicated through the body. A still further form of the device includes a coupling body having a central flow passage and laterally spaced longitudinal flow passages connected by a cross-over passage with a sliding sleeve valve in the central passages for communicating and isolating the passages as desired. The central passage communicates with central conduits above and below the body while the other passage communicates with annular conduits above and below the body whereby parallel concentric passages are selectively communicated and isolated by the device.

United States Patent 1 Sizer CROSS OVER ASSEMBLY [75] Inventor: Phillip S. Sizer, Dallas, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation, Dallas, Tex.

[22] Filed: June 18, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 154,469

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 800,539, Feb. 19,

Primary ExaminerJames A. Leppink Attorney-H. Mathews Garland [57] ABSTRACT A well tool system particularly adapted for interconnection of the flow passages of conduits in a well bore, including fluid cross-over assembly for communicating parallel or concentric flow passages. One form of the system for connecting parallel tubing strings includes an l-l-member providing spaced vertical parallel con- June 19, 1973 duit sections interconnected by a cross-over conduit. Several forms of the l-l-member include locking recesses in one or both of the spaced conduit sections and a sliding sleeve valve in either or both of such sections for selectively communicating and isolating the conduit sections from each other. Another form of the crossover device includes at least three tubing sections in parallel spaced relation interconnected by cross-over conduits, locking recesses for servicing well tools in the conduit sections, and a sliding sleeve valve for selectively isolating and communicating the sections through the cross-over conduits. An additional form of the device includes a cross-over member connectible at one end with spaced parallel tubing strings and at the opposite end with a pair of inner and outer tubing strings and including a cross-over flow passage and sliding sleeve valve for selectively isolating and communicating the flow passages through the body whereby the parallel tubing strings above the body and the flow passages below the body are intercommunicated through the body. A still further form of the device includes a coupling body having a central flow passage and laterally spaced longitudinal flow passages connected by a cross-over passage with a sliding sleeve valve in the central passages for communicating and isolating the passages as desired. The central passage communicates with central conduits above and below the body while the other passage communicates with annular conduits above and below the body whereby parallel concentric passages are selectively communicated and isolated by the device.

4 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures n11 3,739,850 1451 June 19,1973

United States Patent 'Sizer INVENTOR.

Sger' )QTTOI/VEY sum PAIENIED JUN I 9 I973 iiiiiL p lllll E l-II PAH-5min Jun 1 9 ma sum 2 or 3 PATENIEDJUM ems 50 I N VENTOR.

BY 4 .Rmmfi M 1 CROSS OVER ASSEMBLY This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 800,539 entitled WELL TOOLS, filed Feb. 19, 1969.

This invention relates to well tools and more particularly relates to well tools for interconnection of flow passages in a well bore.

It is a particularly important object of this invention to provide new and improved well tools for the intercommunication and isolation of separate flow passages in the conduit system of a well.

It is another object of the invention to provide new and improved well tools useful for interconnecting well flow passages in well systems employed for such well procedures as gas lift, pumpdown well servicing techniques and control, .and related procedural methods useful in the producing, servicing and control of wells.

It is another object of the invention to provide well tools for interconnecting desired parallel well tubing strings so that the tubing strings may communicate with each other and may be isolated from each other during the production and well servicing procedures.

It is another object of the invention to provide well tools for selectively communicating and isolating concentric fluid flow of passages within a well bore useful for carrying out well servicing and producing procedures. I

It is a further object of the invention to provide a well system which includes units to allow selective communicating and isolating parallel tubing strings in a well bore to permit certain well techniques, such as gas lift procedures to be carried out in the well while the well bore around the tubing strings is either liquid filled or cemented.

It is another object of the invention to provide well tools includable in well systems for pumpdown methods so that closed-loop fluid flow paths may be established in a well bore for pumping well tools to and from a desired location in the well.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a cross-over assembly for intercommunicating parallel tubing strings in a well bore including a body having transversally spaced longitudinal flow passages connectible with parallel' 'tubing strings above and below the body, landing nipple locking recesses around each of the flow passages for releasably locking well tools in either or both of the passages, and a sliding sleeve valve longitudinally movable along one of the flow passages in the body for selectively communicating and isolating the flow passages through a cross-over passage connecting the longitudinal flow passages.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a cross-over assembly having spaced parallel flow passages connected by a transverse passage and provided with a locking recess around only one of the longitudinal flow passages for*releasably locking a well tool therein;

. It is a still further object of the invention to provide a cross-over assembly of the character described including locking recesses around both of the flow passages for releasably locking well tools in either or both of such passages.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a cross-over assemblyof the character described including parallel conduit members providing three transversally spaced longitudinal flow passages and transverse conduits connecting a first of the flow passages with the other two passages, locking recesses around each of the flow passages for releasably locking well tools therein, and a sliding sleeve valve in the first flow passage for isolating the three passages at one po-' sition of the valve and for communicating the three passages with each other at another position of the valve.

It is another object of the invention to provide a well tool of the character described provided with spaced parallel longitudinal flow passages connectible at one end with parallel tubing strings and at the opposite end with inner and outer tubing strings and including a transverse flow passage for communicating the longitudinal flow passages and a sliding sleeve valve for isolating the passages from each other.

It is a still further object of the: invention to provide a well tool of the character described including a body member having a longitudinal central flow passage, a second longitudinal flow passage transversally spaced from the central flow passage and communicating therewith by a transverse flow passage, a sliding sleeve valve in the central flow passage for selectively communicating and isolating the longitudinal flow passages, and the body member being connectible at the opposite ends with concentric tubing strings whereby the device functions to isolate and communicate separate concentric flow passages with each other extending above and below the body member.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from reading the following description of apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and by reference to the accompanying drawings thereof wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view in vertical section showing a well system including a plurality of crossover assemblies embodying invention;

FIGS. 2 and 2A taken together comprise a longitudinal sectional view of a cross-over assembly as illustrated schematically in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-10 are fragmentary schematic views in section of various arrangements of cross-over assemblies embodying the invention and also showing selected positions of removable well tools and] sliding sleeve valves in the flow passages of some of the cross-over assemblies;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary schematic view in section of a cross-over assembly embodying the invention for coupling parallel with concentric tubing strings;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary schematic view in section of another form of cross-over assembly embodying the invention for coupling concentric tubing strings above and below the assembly; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary schematic view in section of a cross-over assembly embodying the invention for coupling three parallel tubing strings.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a well system 20 including cross-over assemblies embodying the invention is particularly adapted to production by gas lift procedures, may be connected with an offshore location, andis well suited to the remote installation and removal of gas lift valves by pumping methods. The well system includes a well 21 having a casing 21a which may extend downwardly through and be perforated at a producing formation, not shown, and is closed at its upper end by a well head 22. A pair of spaced parallel tubing strings 23 and 24 are supported in sealed relationship through the well head, the tubing string 23 extending downwardly through a suitable well packer 25 which seals around the tubing string within the casing above the producing formation. Above the packer the tubing string 24 is connected with the tubing string 23 by a conduit 30. The tubing strings communicate with each other at selected spaced depths within the well through a plurality of spaced I-I-shaped crossover assemblies 32 in accordance with the invention. The particular form of cross-over assembly shown schematically in FIG. 1 and illustrated in enlarged detail in FIGS. 2 and 2A has landing nipple recesses 33 and 34 and a sliding sleeve valve 35 which controls communication through a horizontal flow passage connecting spaced vertical flow passages 41 and 42 which communicate with and form portions of the tubing strings 23 and 24, respectively. Each of the crossover assemblies provides communication between the tubing strings at spaced locations along the lengths of the strings and also support gas lift valves and other desired well tools within the tubing strings. A collar stop 31 is secured in the tubing string 23 above the conduit 30 for use with pump-down tools as discussed in detail hereinafter.

The tubing strings 23 and 24 extend from the well head 22 to a remotely located shore installation 43 at which various control functions for operating the well system are carried out. The tubing string 23 is connected through spaced valves 44 and 45 defining a lubricator tubing section for the loading and unloading pumpable well tools. Similarly, the tubing string 24 includes valves 51 and 52 spaced to define a lubricator tubing section 53 in the tubing string 24 at the shore installation. The lubricator sections 50 and 53 communicate through a conduit 54 which connects into the lubricator sections near the valves 45 and 52, respectively, so that liquid may be pumped into the lubricators for displacing well tools from the lubricators through the tubing strings into the well. The conduit 54 is connected through a pair of spaced valves 55 and between which a conduit 61 is connected into the conduit 54. The conduit 61 leads to a reservoir tank 62 through a pump 63 and includes valves 65 and 64 spaced on opposite sides of the conduit 54. A return line including a valve 71 is connected from the tank 62 into the conduit 54 into the lubricator section 53 of the tubing string 24. Similarly, a line 72 including a valve 73 is connected from the tank 62 into the conduit 54 between the valve 55 and the lubricator section 50 of the tubing string 23. The installation 43 provides facilities for pumping well tools, such as gas lift valves, to and from the landing nipples in the cross-over assemblies and for direction lift gas into the well through one of the tubing strings while recovering well fluids from the well through the other of the tubing strings. During both well production by lift gas injection and the steps of installing and removing well tools, the casing annulus 26 within the casing 21a around the tubing strings may remain liquid full.

The preferred lateral connections between the tubing strings 23 and 24 within the well comprise the I-I- shaped cross-over assembly 32 shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 2A. The cross-over assembly includes a central cylindrical body provided with spaced parallel vertical bores defining the flow passages 41 and 42 which communicate through the horizontal flow passage 40. The passage 40 is defined by a horizontal bore drilled in the body 80 from the outside of the body through the passage 41 with the opening formed in the outside wall of the body into passage 41 being closed by a plug 81 welded to the body 80 at 82. Flow between the vertical flow passages 41 and 42 in the body through the flow passage 40 is controlled by a sliding sleeve valve 83 which is slightly reduced in external diameter along a central portion 84 which is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots 85. Upper seal rings and lower seal rings 91 are disposed in internal annular recesses within the body 80 above and below the bore 40 for sealing around the sleeve valve 83 so that when the valve is moved from the position shown in FIG. 8 downwardly to its lower end position fluid flow may not occur from the passage 40 into the sleeve 83. The sleeve 83 has an internal annular boss 92 for engagement of a sleeve shifting tool, not shown, for moving the sleeve valve between its upper open position and lower closed positions. The sleeve valve is releasably locked at its upper open position by a snap ring 93 disposed in an internal annular recess 94 in the body 80 around the bore 41 and received in an external locking recess 95 defined along the lower end portion of the sleeve 83. An upper external locking recess of the sleeve 83 below the internal boss 92 receives the snap ring 93 when the sleeve valve is at its lower closed position for locking the valve at such position.

An upper tubing string section 23a is threaded into the upper end portion of the bore 41 of the body 80 with the upper end edge of the sleeve valve 83 being engageable with the lower end edge of the tubing section 23a to limit the upward travel of the valve sleeve at the position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2A. An 0-ring seal 101 is disposed between the lower end portion of the tubing section 23a and the surface defining the bore 41 in the body to prevent leakage from the bore 41 outwardly along the connection between the body and the tubing section 23a. An upwardly extending section of the tubing string 23 is threaded into the upper end of the tubing section 230, FIG. 2. Similarly, an upper tubing section 24a is threaded along a lower end portion into the upper end of the bore 42 of the body and welded to the body at 102 to prevent leakage between the body and the tubing section. The locking recesses 33 and 34 as illustrated in FIG. 2 are formed within the upper tubing sections 23a and 24a respectively to provide for locking well tools such as gas lift valves in each side of the cross-over assembly as desired or required by the particular procedure to be carried out by the well system. Upwardly extending portions of the tubing string 24 are connected by a coupling 103 to the upper end of the tubing section 24a.

A lower tubing section 23b is threaded into the lower end of the bore 41 of the body 80 with the upper end surface of the tubing section 23b supporting the snap ring 93 in its recess 94. An O-ring seal 104 is disposed in a recess of the body around the tubing section 23b and seals between the tubing section and the body at the' connection of the tubing section into the body. An internal shoulder 23c limits downward travel of the sleeve valve which telescopes along its lower end portion 83a into the upper bore portion 23d of the section 23b when the sleeve valve is closed.

Downwardly extending portions of the tubing string 23 are connected to the lower tubing section 23b by a coupling 105. A lower tubing section 24b is threaded into the lower end of the bore 42 of the body 80 welded at 110 sealing between the body and the tubing section 24b. Downwardly extending sections of the tubing string 24, not shown in FIG. 2A, are coupled with the tubing section 24b by a coupling 111.

FIGS. 3-10 illustrate schematically various adaptations of cross-over assemblies embodying the invention as used in a system such as the well system 21 for various approaches to secondary recovery of well fluids by gas lift techniques. FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 and 6 illustrate the application of a cross-over assembly which may be incorporated into the well system 21 without the use of a sliding sleeve valve for controlling fluid communication between tubing strings with a gas lift valve present at the crossover assembly.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-over assembly 32a having a locking recess 33a on the tubing section 23 side of the assembly with a smooth bore on the tubing string 24 side interconnected by a cross-over flow passage 400. A gas lift valve G including upper and lower seal assemblies, not shown in detail, is illustrated supported from a locking mandrel M in the tubing section 23 side of the cross-over assembly. FIG. 4 shows a cross-over assembly 32b for use in the well system having a smooth bore on the tubing section 23 side with a locking recess 34a on the tubing section 24 side of the assembly for the locking mandrel M supporting the gas lift valve G in the tubing section 24. The cross-over assembly 32c shown in both FIGS. 5 and 6 includes a locking recess 330 in the tubing section 23 side and a locking recess 34c in the tubing section 24 side of the assembly. The tubing sections are interconnected through a cross-over passage 400. In FIG. 5 the locking mandrel M and the gas lift valve G supported from it are disposed in the tubing section 24 side of the cross-over assembly. In FIG. 6 the locking mandrel M and gas lift valve G are disposed and locked in the tubing section 23 side of the crossover assembly.

The selection of the side of the cross-over assembly in which the gas lift is disposed depends on the well system and the type of gas lift valve employed as discussed in my application Ser. No. 800,539, supra. It will be apparent that in the forms of the cross-over assembly shown in FIGS. 3-6, the tubing sections are in communication with each other except when some form of additional well tool is disposed in the assembly such as the gas lift valve for controlling flow through the interconnecting cross-over passage between the tubing sections of the connection. The presence or absence of a well tool such as the gas lift valve G in the cross-over assembly will he basically determined by the considerations involved in the particularly well system being employed. For example, if the continuous communication of the tubing strings is permissible such as at depth below the level at which. gas ejection in a gas lift system is not desired, then the cross-over flow passage control means such as the gas lift valve may be left out.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9,, and show various adaptations of the cross-over assembly design illustrated in the FIGS. 1 and 2-2A with variations in the positioning of a gas lift valve in the assembly. FIGS. 7 and 10 illustrate a cross- Qver assembly 32 identicalto that of FIGS. 1 and 2-2A with the same reference in numerals being used to denote identical components. In FIG. 7, the gas lift valve and mandrel are supported in the tubing section 24 side of the cross-over assembly. In FIG. 10, the gas lift valve is shown supported, through the sliding sleeve valve in the tubing section 23 side of the cross-over assembly.

FIGS. 8 and 9 shows a similar cross-over assembly 32d having a locking recess 33d on the tubing section 23 side and a similar locking recess 34d on the tubing section 24 side. The tubing string sections are interconnected through a cross-over passage 40d. The sleeve valve 35d is disposed in the tubing section 24 side of the cross-over assembly. In FIG. 8% the gas lift valve "is locked in the tubing section 23 side while in FIG. 9 the gas lift valve is locked through the sliding sleeve valve in the tubing section 24 side of the cross-over assembly.

In the arrangements of the cross-over assembly and the location of the gas lift valve shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, where the valve is positioned in the side of the crossover assembly opposite the sliding sleeve valve, the sleeve valve can be manipulated between open and closed positions as desired for communicating and isolating the tubing strings. In contrast, in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, where the gas lift valve is positioned through the sliding sleeve valve, the sleeve is not movable so long as the gas lift valve is present in the crossover assembly. In these latter arrangements, the sleeve valve is kept closed during certain pumping procedures or other well servicing procedures, and then it is opened at the time that the gas lift valve is positioned through it. t

The forms of gas lift valves and their operation, the installation and retrieval of such valves including apparatus for accomplishing such methods, and the operation of the well system 21 for utilizing the cross-over assemblies embodying the invention as shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, and 3-10 are discussed in detail in my co-. pending allowed application, Ser. No. 800,539, supra. It will, of course, be evident that cross-over assemblies embodying the invention are utilized in well systems of the type shown in FIG. 1 and also in he other well systems wherein parallel tubing strings are interconnected for production and well servicing purposes as enc0untered in standard pumpdown procedures where one of the tubing strings may be used for production while the other is used for fluid circulation purposes to transport well tools to and from the desired locations in the conduits disposed in the well bore. The standard methods and tools referred to in my application Ser. No. 800,539 are utilized for operation of the cross-over assemblies using sliding sleeve valves for selectively communicating and isolating the tubing strings relative to each other.

FIG. 11 illustrates a still further form of cross-over assembly for connecting a pair of upper tubing strings 121 and 122 with lower inner and outer tubing strings 123 and 124. The cross-over assembly has a central body 125 having first and second laterally spaced separate longitudinal flow passages 126 and 127 interconnected by a crossover passage 128. A sliding sleeve valve '129 having a side port 130 is movably secured within the bore .126 of the cross-over assembly body. The tubing string 121 is secured into the body by a coupling 131 having a locking recess 132 for releasably locking well tools in the cross-over assembly. Similarly, the tubing string 122 is connected into the body by a coupling 133 having an internal locking recess 134. The upper parallel tubing strings 121 and 122 generally extend to the surface end of the well as separate independent tubing strings. The lower inner tubing string 123 is connected into the cross-over body 125 communicating with the bore 126 of the body. The outer tubing string 124 around the tubing string 123 is connected on the lower end of the body defining an outer flow passage 135 between the outer tubing string and the inner tubing string. The sliding sleeve valve 129 is movable between an open upper position as shown in FIG. 11 and a lower closed position by means of any suitable sleeve shifting tool. At the upper open position the bores 126 and 127 of the cross-over assembly body are communicated with each other, while at the lower position of the sleeve valve such bores are isolated from each other. At the lower sleeve valve position, the upper parallel tubing string 122 communicates through the longitudinal bore 127 into the lower outer flow passage 135 and the upper parallel tubing string 121 communicates through the bore 126 into the lower inner tubing string 123. The cross-over assembly 120 is useful in any well installation where the tubing string configuration shown is desired and the production and servicing techniques to be used require selective isolation and communication of the tubing strings at the crossover assembly.

A still further form of cross-over assembly 140 is illustrated in FIG. 12 for the coupling of concentric tubing strings in a manner which will permit selective isolation and communication of the flow passages through the strings. The cross-over assembly has a body 141 provide with a central bore 142 and laterally spaced longitudinal bores 143 and 144. A cross-over passage 145 communicates the central bore 142 with the bore 144. A sliding sleeve valve 146 having a side port 146a is disposed in the central bore of the body 141 for movement between open and closed position for controlling the flow between the bores 142 and 144 through the passage 145. An upper inner tubing string 147 is connected by a coupling 148 into the body communicating with the central bore 142. A lower internal tubing string 147a connects into the lower end of the body communicating also with the central bore 142 through the body so that there is continuous communication for flow between the upper and lower inner tubing strings 147 and 147a. An internal locking recess 1480 within the coupling 148 provides for releasably locking a well tool, such as the gas lift valve and other tools as desired, through the cross-over assembly by wireline or pumpdown techniques. An outer upper tubing string 149 connects with the upper end of the crossover assembly body, while similarly a lower tubing string 149a connects with a lower end of the body. The longitudinal outwardly disposed flow passages 143 and 144 within the body communicate the annular flow passages in the outer tubing strings above and below the body. Suitable sleeve shifting tools are used for moving the sliding sleeve valve 146 between an upper open position as shown and a lower closed position for selectively communicating and isolating the central and annular flow passages defined by the concentric tubing systems coupled by the cross-over assembly. In the particular configuration of FIG. 12, a gas lift valve of the nature shown in my patent application 800,539 supra, may be locked in the cross-over assembly through the sliding sleeve valve with the valve at its upper open position permitting the gas lift production of well fluids through the inner tubing string responsive to gas lift injection through the outer tubing string with the lift gas flowing downwardly along the annular flow passage and production fluids flowing upwardly in the central low passage. The cross-over assembly 140 is readily adaptable to other well-arrangements which require 8 concentric flow passages and selective communication between the flow passages. Suitable tools other'than gas lift valves may obviously be locked in the cross-over assembly supported from the locking rec'ess 148a and with the sleeve valve open or closed as needed. A

Another form of cross-over assembly 150 is illustrated in FIG. 13 for coupling three tubing strings together and controlling communication between the strings. A first tubing 151 is provided with a locking recess 152 for releasably locking a mandrel M supporting a well tool such as a gas lift valve G in the string at the cross-over assembly. The tubing 151 is connected with a second central tubing 153 which includes a locking recess 154 for releasably locking a well tool within the tubing. A sliding sleeve valve 155 having side ports is disposed within the tubing 153 for movement between the upper open position shown and a lower closed position. The tubings 151 and 153 are con nected together by a cross-over conduit 161 which communicates the tubing strings when the sleeve valve 155 is at the upper open position shown. A third tubing 162 provided with a locking recess 163 is connected with the central tubing 153 by a cross-over conduit 164. A gas lift valve G is releasably supported in the tubing string 153 by a mandrel M locked at the recess 154. Similarly, well tools may be locked in the tubing 162 at the recess 163.

The cross-over assembly 150 may serve to interconnect three tubing strings within a well bore and selectively communicate the strings and isolate the strings as needed for well production and servicing purposes. With the sleeve valve 155 at a lower closed position the three tubings 151, 153, and 162 are isolated from each other and thus provide separate flow conduits in a well bore. When the sleeve valve is moved to an open position, the three tubings are communicated with each other through the cross-over conduits 161 and 164, or stated otherwise the central tubing 153 is communicated with both the tubing string 151 and the tubing 162 through the cross-over conduits 161 and 164, respectively. Other arrangements of a cross-over connection similar to that shown in FIG. 13 may also include sliding sleeve valve in either or both of the tubings 151 and 162 so that the central tubing 153 may be selectively communicated with either of the other two tubings by proper manipulation of the sleeve valves. A further approach to selective communication of the central tubing 153 with either of the tubings 151 or 162 may be obtained by setting of a suitable plug or seal, not shown, supported from the locking recesses in the tubing at the cross-over conduit. For example such a seal might be set in place of the gas lift valve shown in FIG. 13 in the tubing 15] thereby plugging the tubing 151, and with the sleeve valve 155 moved to an open position, the tubings 153 and 162 may be communicated with each other. Similarly, a plug set in the tubing 162 supported from the recess 163 might plug the tubing 162 and with the sleeve valve 155 open, communication may be obtained between the tubings 151 and 153. As in the case of the cross-over assembly 32 the cross-over assembly 150 may serve such purposes as gas lift and also a multiplicity of techniques involving pumpdown and wireline procedures.

Thus, cross-over assemblies or connections embodying the invention comprise new and improved well tools which facilitate well procedures by providing increased flexibility in fluid flow control between. flow passages in wells. The cross-over assemblies permit interconnection of dual and triple tubing strings and other configurations including switch arrangements from parallel separate strings to dual strings having one tubing within the other. Also included are cross-over assemblies for connecting concentric tubing systems. In each form of assembly a sliding sleeve valve controls selective communication and isolation of the flow passages in the cross-over assembly.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A cross-over assembly for interconnecting a plurality of separate well flow conductors within a well bore comprising: means providing three separate longitudinal flow passages; means providing interconnecting flow passage between two of said longitudinal flow passages and the third of said longitudinal flow passages; and movable valve means disposed in said third longitudinal flow passage for movement between a first position providing fluid communication between all of said longitudinal flow passages and a second position isolating all of said longitudinal flow passages from each other.

2. A cross-over assembly for intercommunicating a plurality of separate well flow conductors within a well bore comprising: means providing a plurality of separate longitudinal flow passages; means for connecting each of said separate flow passages with a separate one of said flow conductors; means providing a flow passage interconnecting said separate longitudinal flow passages; movable valve means having an opening therein disposed in one of said longitudinal flow passages for movement between a position closing off flow through said interconnecting flow passage to isolate said separate longitudinal flow passages from each other and a position communicating said opening with said interconnecting flow passage to communicate said separate longitudinal flow passages through said interconnecting flow passage; and means coupled with the opposite ends of said means providing said plurality of longitudinal flow passages comprising concentric conduits connected thereto defining a central flow passage connected with one of said longitudinal flow passages and an outer concentric annular flow passage connected with the other of said longitudinal flow passages.

3. A cross-over connection for interconnecting a plurality of separate well flow conductors within a well bore comprising: a body member having two separate longitudinal flow passages therein and having means for connecting each of said flow passages with a separate well flow conductor; means in said body member providing a separate transverse flow passage between said longitudinal flow passages; longitudinally movable valve means having a lateral opening therein disposed in one of said longitudinal flow passages and movable between a position closing said transverse flow passage to isolate said longitudinal flow passages and a position in which said lateral opening is disposed to communicate said longitudinal flow passages through said transverse flow passage; and coupling means connecting said longitudinal flow passages at. one end of said body member with separate parallel tubing strings and coupling means connecting the other end of said body member with a first inner tubing string communicating with one of said longitudinal flow passages of said body member and a second outer tubing string communicating with a second of said longitudinal flow passages and defining a second outer flow passage around said inner tubing string.

4. A cross-over connection for interconnecting a plurality of separate well flow conductors within a well bore comprising: a body member having separate longitudinal flow passages comprising a central flow passage along the longitudinal axis of said body member and at least one transversely spaced flow passage; means in said body member providing a separate transverse flow passage between said longitudinal flow passages; longitudinally movable valve means having a lateral opening therein disposed in one of said longitudinal flow passages and movable between a position closing said transverse flow passage to isolate said longitudinal flow passages in a position in which said lateral openingis disposed to communicate said longitudinal flow passages through said transverse flow passage; means connecting said body member at opposite ends thereof with concentric tubing strings, the inner one of said tubing strings communicating with said central flow passage and the outer one of said tubing strings communicating with said transversely spaced longitudinal flow passage through said body member. 

1. A cross-over assembly for interconnecting a plurality of separate well flow conductors within a well bore comprising: means providing three separate longitudinal flow passages; means providing interconnecting flow passage between two of said longitudinal flow passages and the third of said longitudinal flow passages; and movable valve means disposed in said third longitudinal flow passage for movement between a first position providing fluid communication between all of said longitudinal flow passages and a second position isolating all of said longitudinal flow passages from each other.
 2. A cross-over assembly for intercommunicating a plurality of separate well flow conductors within A well bore comprising: means providing a plurality of separate longitudinal flow passages; means for connecting each of said separate flow passages with a separate one of said flow conductors; means providing a flow passage interconnecting said separate longitudinal flow passages; movable valve means having an opening therein disposed in one of said longitudinal flow passages for movement between a position closing off flow through said interconnecting flow passage to isolate said separate longitudinal flow passages from each other and a position communicating said opening with said interconnecting flow passage to communicate said separate longitudinal flow passages through said interconnecting flow passage; and means coupled with the opposite ends of said means providing said plurality of longitudinal flow passages comprising concentric conduits connected thereto defining a central flow passage connected with one of said longitudinal flow passages and an outer concentric annular flow passage connected with the other of said longitudinal flow passages.
 3. A cross-over connection for interconnecting a plurality of separate well flow conductors within a well bore comprising: a body member having two separate longitudinal flow passages therein and having means for connecting each of said flow passages with a separate well flow conductor; means in said body member providing a separate transverse flow passage between said longitudinal flow passages; longitudinally movable valve means having a lateral opening therein disposed in one of said longitudinal flow passages and movable between a position closing said transverse flow passage to isolate said longitudinal flow passages and a position in which said lateral opening is disposed to communicate said longitudinal flow passages through said transverse flow passage; and coupling means connecting said longitudinal flow passages at one end of said body member with separate parallel tubing strings and coupling means connecting the other end of said body member with a first inner tubing string communicating with one of said longitudinal flow passages of said body member and a second outer tubing string communicating with a second of said longitudinal flow passages and defining a second outer flow passage around said inner tubing string.
 4. A cross-over connection for interconnecting a plurality of separate well flow conductors within a well bore comprising: a body member having separate longitudinal flow passages comprising a central flow passage along the longitudinal axis of said body member and at least one transversely spaced flow passage; means in said body member providing a separate transverse flow passage between said longitudinal flow passages; longitudinally movable valve means having a lateral opening therein disposed in one of said longitudinal flow passages and movable between a position closing said transverse flow passage to isolate said longitudinal flow passages in a position in which said lateral opening is disposed to communicate said longitudinal flow passages through said transverse flow passage; means connecting said body member at opposite ends thereof with concentric tubing strings, the inner one of said tubing strings communicating with said central flow passage and the outer one of said tubing strings communicating with said transversely spaced longitudinal flow passage through said body member. 